Hands-On With the New CycWagen Cargo E-Bike

I get stares whenever I ride this unique-looking cargo e-bike called a CycWagen. People say, "Woah, cool bike," or "Wow, I really like that bike," or even, "Is that an e-bike? Nice!"

I love the way this thing looks, with its long body, gray paint with yellow trim, and wooden cargo deck and foot pads at the rear.

I also love the way this bike works, too; it goes fast but is really made to carry lots of gear, pets, or children. I wouldn't take it out on an obstacle course, as the handling befits its long size and small wheelbase, but it is a joy to ride.

The Cycrown CycWagen

Setup was super easy, too, with all the tools you need included in the box. The bike came mostly assembled, and all I needed to do was pull up the handlebars, attach the wooden platforms, put on the motorcycle-style kickstand, and screw in the pedals. Oh, and I added on the fenders (which are typically optional). It took me about an hour or so, all total.

The CycWagen Dual Battery Longtail Cargo e-bike boasts a 750W motor for plenty of pushing power, even when headed up steep hills, 120 miles of pedal assist range (thanks to the two 48V 10+15Ah batteries onboard), and a max load of 440 pounds (that's a lot of cargo).

It's a Class 3 e-bike, which means it can go up to 28 mph on pedal assist. It also has a throttle when you're not feeling like pedaling, too.

The trick here, though, is that the wheels are smaller than a typical adult bike. The seat and handlebars can be adjusted for adults up to 6-foot-3 inches, so it's definitely not a kid's bike, but the smaller 20-inch wheels mean two things. One, if you try to make steep, leaning turns, you're going to end up scraping the bottom pedal against the ground, which can be disconcerting at any speed. Two, you're not going to maneuver this bike through any deep curves; the turning radius is limited.

Still, if I'm carrying kids on the back of this thing (Cycrown offers a ton of accessories, including child seats and safety rails), I'm not going to push it to 28 mph and then speed around tight turns. The stability and solidity of the CycWagen are fantastic when riding straighter paths and roads, making up for a little less maneuverability.

The pedal-assist system has five levels, easily changed with a handlebar-mounted button. The cool thing about it is that it also limits your speed when throttling. My partner is less comfortable on e-bikes and prefers to go slower if possible. When set to a lower assist mode, the bike never goes faster than she's comfortable with (8 mph or so on level 1, for example).

Safety and Comfort

The front suspension is adjustable, so you can take bumps at different levels of comfort, and the fat tires go a long way to keep your ride as smooth as possible. I've ridden the CycWagen around my city, over speed bumps, sidewalk ruts, and on bike paths with very little worry about bouncing too hard or flipping my cargo out of the milk crate I've been using to carry stuff.

The display is large and bright, keeping you informed of your battery level, speed, max speed available, pedal assist level, and more. It's easy to use and just works—I didn't need to mess around in the settings at all (though they exist for more technical types).

The disc brakes came adjusted and ready for action, too, and they performed wonderfully. These bikes are heavy and can get up to some speed, so having a reliable way to slow down and stop is key. The upright posture that the e-bike enforces is also great for staying situationally aware, especially in areas of heavy traffic. It's also a pretty comfy ride; if you're going to go 120 miles on a bike, it can't be uncomfortable.

Is the CycWagen Worth It?

The CycWagen Dual Battery Longtail Cargo E-bike is a steal at $1499, as many bikes with all these features can cost lots more. Add in the unique look and paint job, the safety features, and the dual-battery system (a rarity at this level), and you're looking at a great deal for an incredibly functional and stylish cargo bike.

If you want your own stares of admiration and envy when you pull up, make sure you take a look at the CycWagen Cargo e-bike today.